Introduction: We present a case of ectopic intrathoracic multinodular goiter and correlate the magnetic resonance imaging appearance with the histological findings.
Case presentation: A 72-year-old man was referred to our institute with a two month history of cough. The chest radiograph showed a mass located in the mediastinum. A chest computed tomography scan, showed an enhancing mass at the right side of the middle mediastinum where magnetic resonance images, demonstrated a multicystic mass. The mass was excised through a right lateral thoracotomy and histologically it proved to be an ectopic multinodular goiter.
Conclusions: Although ectopic intrathoracic multinodular goiter is a rare entity, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses. The preoperative diagnosis is important as, unlike substernal goiter which is surgically approached through the neck, the ectopic thyroid is treated by thoracotomy.